# NTSB ANC96LA146: Bellanca 8GCBC, N8648V, Iliamna, AK, September 5, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 5, 1996, 11:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Iliamna, AK - Coordinates: 59.849285, -154.559432 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.8493&lon=-154.5594&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 29, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2898 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA146 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2898/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA146 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate weather evaluation and inadequate compensation for wind conditions. The adverse weather condition was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor) - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff ## Analysis The pilot reported he landed at a remote, unimproved site to go hunting. Once he landed, he realized the wind was stronger than he had anticipated. He believed the airplane would be damaged, if he left the cockpit and attempted to park it. He elected to takeoff instead of hunting. The pilot said that soon after liftoff, at an estimated 100 feet above the ground, a strong gust of wind forced the airplane to make an uncommanded turn to the right and downwind. The pilot said that the airplane began to sink rapidly, and that he was unable to avoid a collision with terrain. ## Factual narrative On September 5, 1996, about 1130 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Bellanca 8GCBC airplane, N8648V, was destroyed when it collided with terrain during takeoff from an off airport site located about 50 miles southwest of Iliamna, Alaska. The solo, airline transport certificated pilot received minor injuries. The personal, 14 CFR Part 91 flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight last departed Iliamna, Alaska, about 0800. The pilot reported he landed at the off airport site to go hunting. He said the wind was blowing stronger than he had anticipated, and he felt the airplane would be damaged if he attempted to park it. The pilot estimated the wind to be from the east, at 30, gusting to 40 knots. He decided to takeoff instead of hunting. Shortly after takeoff, at an estimated 100 feet above the ground, he said a strong wind gust caused the airplane to turn to the right and downwind. The airplane begin to lose airspeed and descend, and the pilot said he was unable to maintain altitude or climb. The airplane struck the ground firmly in a wings level attitude, and then rolled onto its left side. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8648V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8648V), registered now, S/N 16575 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca 8GCBC - Registry model: [Bellanca 8GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8gcbc) (registry code 1220803) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 165-75 - Airframe hours: 1040 - Engines: Bellanca 8GCBC 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Michael W. Hinds - Registered owner: Widgeon Air - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 1996, 43 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 12,000 total, 300 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 30 knots, gusting 40 - Visibility: 90 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19960905026199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960905026199A), Sep 5, 1996: Bbavia 8GCBC, Iliamna, AK, Destroyed. Lost control departing remote strip in severe turbulent surface wind. Impacted level and rolled onto its side. From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.